Cardiff Rugby to change hands as new owners confirmed
Cardiff Rugby has officially announced a significant shift in its ownership structure, with contracts exchanged to bring Helford Capital Limited on board as the majority shareholder.
This move, initiated by British businessmen Phil Kempe and Neal Griffith, marks a new chapter for the club, following the acquisition of shares from the Thomas family and other key stakeholders.
The club is set to convene a General Meeting to ratify this transaction, promising shareholders a detailed strategic plan under the new ownership. Helford Capital’s takeover symbolizes not just a change in leadership but a renewed commitment to catapult Cardiff Rugby back into the limelight of European competitive rugby, while preserving its storied history and tradition.
This transition has received the green light from both the Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff Athletic Club, the latter retaining a minority stake in the club. Additionally, rugby legend Sir Gareth Edwards has been invited to serve as the Honorary President, an offer he has accepted, further cementing the club’s dedication to its roots.
Alun Jones, Cardiff Rugby’s chair, acknowledged the critical juncture this represents for the club. “After the loss of our president and benefactor Peter Thomas, we sought partners who shared our passion and vision. We’re thrilled that Helford Capital, led by Phil Kempe and Neal Griffith, will be ushering in this new era,” said Jones. He also paid tribute to Peter Thomas and his family for their enduring support.
The new ownership, spearheaded by Kempe and Griffith, aims to build on Peter Thomas’s legacy. Their immediate focus will be on stabilizing the club and laying a strong foundation for future triumphs. Emphasizing the development of local talent, the strategy involves substantial investment in resources and facilities, particularly in the academy and pathway systems. They claim the approach will create a world-class professional environment, blending Welsh talent with international prowess.
The statement reads: “Phil Kempe is a proud Welshman with an association stretching more than a decade with the club and is fully aware of the Welsh rugby landscape and the unique structure of Cardiff Rugby. He has a range of successful business interests across multiple industries in the UK, Canada and the Middle East.
“Meanwhile Neal Griffith, who also has Welsh roots, is a former investment banker with numerous global business interests as both an investor and director.”
Their substantial business ties in the United Arab Emirates are anticipated to benefit Cardiff Rugby significantly. Craig Davies, representing the Thomas family, expressed confidence in the new leadership. “We trust Phil and Neal to honor Peter’s legacy. Their plans for the club assure us that Cardiff Rugby’s future is bright,” said Davies.
Comments on RugbyPass
“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
1 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
3 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
3 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
3 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
4 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to comments